On Dec 4, 2007, at 9:57 PM, Chris Page wrote: I'd like to hear (on the list—please don't send me questions and complaints directly) specific issues that make using AppleScript difficult, especially regarding the language itself.
[Emphasis added.]
I agree with your point about libraries being important to a language, and it's worth talking about library issues in detail, but “scriptable applications” is an unbounded set of software I don't have direct control over and I'm…er…especially interested in hearing about problems with the language proper.
I can appreciate the lack of control over other peoples code and others have articulated the various issues I've encountered with the language/syntax so I'm going to go down a different path and suggest the main items that would make my life more livable from the standpoint of the language/dictionaries we have today:
1) Script recording. This would help both Apple and scripters: Apple wouldn't be blamed for every developer's (sometimes poor) choices in how they expose their app, and scripters would have a much easier time dealing with these implementation decisions since it wouldn't take so much trial and error to figure out how to get something done.
2) Debugging. Why is it still necessary to buy a (relatively) expensive 3rd party application in order to debug Applescript code? Xcode gives us great things like a rather slick debugger (granted, it's a wrapper around gdb) and other powerful tools including Xray. For Applescript we get.... nothing? What makes the lack of this capability even more maddening is that AppleScript is supposed to be usable by mere mortals (from the new, much improved AppleScript web page: 'easy-to-learn, easy-to-use automation for Macintosh systems') and they need less help than developers why?
3) Provide example scripts and real language/dictionary documentation for the code that *is* controlled by Apple, especially the major packages (i.e. Finder, iTunes, i* apps, etc.) The new web page is a start and improvement, but there is still a long way to go. (BTW, on the new web page one of the 'New in Mac 10.5' features listed is '8. AppleScript Language Guide' which, when selected from the Help menu, takes you to the AppleScript 1.3 Language Guide from 1999!?)
Thanks, Phil |